Taiwan to Block Visit by Exiled Uighur Leader

According to news reports, Taiwan has stopped exiled Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer from visiting the island. From Reuters:

Kadeer, a former businesswoman who now leads exile group the World Uyghur Congress, wanted to come in December for a series of speeches at the invitation of an entertainer close to Taiwan’s anti-China opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Questioned by legislators on Friday, Taiwan interior Minister Chiang Yih-hwa said the government had confirmed it would not allow the visit, citing safety concerns.

“The government’s decision today conforms to the interests of the nation and the entire public,” Taiwan’s ruling, China-friendly Nationalist Party (KMT) said in a statement.